Mihintale Chief Incumbent acquitted

By Upali Ananda

Chief Incumbent of the Mihintale Rajamaha Vihara, Ven. Walawahengunawewe Dhammarathana Thera, who was charged with the alleged assault of a tour guide within the temple's central compound, causing injuries, was acquitted by Anuradhapura Additional Magistrate Ms. P.H.W.D.L. Samarasinghe. 

The Anuradhapura police investigated into the complaint by tour guide Chandana Weerawantha Waduge, alias Ukkuwa, who alleged that Ven. Dhammarathana Thera had assaulted him on March 12, 2009, at the temple. 

Subsequently, criminal assault charges were filed against the Thera.  

The case, which had been pending for 15 years, was first called in 2009 before Anuradhapura’s then Magistrate, now Kandy High Court Judge Darshika Wimalasiri. It was heard by three successive magistrates, including former Additional Magistrate Manodi Hewawasam, whose written order was read in open court by the current Additional Magistrate.  

The court ruled that the charges against the suspect were not proven beyond reasonable doubt, leading to his acquittal.  

Former JMO of Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital, Dr. J.P. Jayasundara, along with two other witnesses, testified during the trial. Submissions for the state were made by Sergeant Herath under the instructions of OIC Mihintale Police, CI Ranjith Chandrasiri.  

Attorneys-at-Law Sanjeewa Gunaratne, Sunanda Thennakoon and Ameera Senaratne represented Ven. Dhammarathana Thera.  

Previously, Ven. Dhammarathana Thera had filed a petition before the Supreme Court, claiming his arrest in connection with the alleged assault was politically motivated and violated his fundamental rights. The Supreme Court ruled in his favour and ordered the then OIC Mihintale Police to pay him Rs. 50,000 as compensation.